The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laboratory health standard
(Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories)-CFR 1910.1450- requires
employers of laboratory employees to implement exposure control programs and convey
chemical health and safety information to laboratory employees working with hazardous
materials. The Community College of Rhode Island comes under the jurisdiction of the
Rhode Island Department of Labor, which has the same provisions as OSHA. Specific
provisions of the standard require:

The standard's intent is to ensure that laboratory employees are informed of the hazards
of chemicals in their work area, and that appropriate work practices and procedures
are in place to protect laboratory employees from chemical health and safety hazards.

The standard operating procedures (laboratory practices and engineering controls)
recommended in this manual identify the safeguards to be taken when working with hazardous
materials. These safeguards will protect laboratory workers and students from unsafe
conditions in the vast majority of situations. There are instances, however, when
the physical and chemical properties, the proposed use, the quantity used for a particular
purpose or the toxicity of a substance will be such that either additional, or fewer,
controls might be appropriate to protect the laboratory worker. Professional judgment
is essential in the interpretation of these standard operating procedures, and individual
laboratories may modify these procedures to meet their specific uses and operational
needs.

This document outlines how the Community College of Rhode Island is complying with
each of the elements of OSHA's Laboratory Standard. Copies of the Chemical Hygiene
Plan are located in all laboratories, in the offices of the Department of Security
and Safety and College Police and in the Libraries at all Campuses.

1.2 Chemical Hygiene Responsibilities

Responsibility for chemical health and safety rests at all levels including the:

The Director of Administration, who has ultimate responsibility for chemical hygiene
within the College and must, along with other officials, provide continuing support
for chemical safety.

Laboratory Safety Committee, which reviews and recommends policies that provide for
the safe conduct of work involving hazardous chemicals and develops guidelines for
reviewing and approving the use of high risk substances in laboratories.

Department Chairs, who are responsible for chemical hygiene in each department and
who have the primary responsibility for chemical hygiene in the laboratory. Each Chair
is responsible for:

Acquiring the knowledge and information needed to recognize and control chemical hazards
in the laboratory.

Selecting and employing laboratory practices and engineering controls that reduce
the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals to the appropriate level.

Informing faculty and paraprofessionals working in laboratories of the potential hazards
associated with the use of chemicals in the laboratory and instructing them in safe
laboratory practices, adequate controls, and procedures for dealing with accidents
involving hazardous chemicals.

Supervising the performance of the department staff to ensure the required chemical
hygiene rules are adhered to in the laboratory.

Ensuring appropriate controls (engineering and personal protective equipment) are
used and in good working order.

Obtaining approval, when required, prior to using particularly hazardous substances.

Developing an understanding of the current legal requirements regulating hazardous
substances used in each laboratory.

Laboratory Faculty and Laboratory Paraprofessionals, who are responsible for:

Being aware of the hazards of the materials they are around or working with, and handling
those chemicals in a safe manner.

Planning and conducting each operation in accordance with established chemical hygiene
procedures.

The laboratory paraprofessionals and faculty share responsibility for collecting,
labeling and storing chemical hazardous waste properly as outlined in CCRI's Hazardous
Waste Management Program, as well as informing visitors entering their laboratory
of the potential hazards and the safety rules and precautions.

Chemical Safety Coordinator, who must:

Develop and update the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Act as the CCRI's Chemical Hygiene Officer.

Work with the College administrators and other employees to develop and implement
appropriate chemical hygiene policies and practices.

Provide technical assistance for complying with the Chemical Hygiene Plan and answer
chemical safety questions for employees and students.

Monitor procurement, use, and disposal of chemicals used in the laboratories.

Assist laboratory faculty and paraprofessionals in the selection of appropriate laboratory
safety practices and engineering controls for new and existing projects and procedures.

Determine when an exposure assessment is appropriate and conduct or make arrangements
for exposure assessments.

Know the current legal requirements concerning regulated substances.

Investigate all reported accidents which result in the exposure of personnel or the
environment to hazardous chemicals.

Supervise decontamination operations where accidents have resulted in significant
contamination of laboratory areas.

1.3 Definitions

1.3.1 Laboratory Definition

For the purposes of this OSHA standard, a laboratory is defined as a facility in which
hazardous chemicals (defined below) are handled or manipulated in reactions, transfers,
etc. in small quantities (containers that are easily manipulated by one person) on
a nonproduction basis. Typically multiple chemical procedures are used.

1.3.2 Hazardous Chemical Definition

The OSHA Laboratory Health Standard defines a hazardous chemical as any element, chemical
compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical hazard or a
health hazard. The standard applies to all hazardous chemicals regardless of the quantity.

A chemical is a physical hazard if there is scientifically valid evidence that it
is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, an explosive, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer
or pyrophoric, flammable, reactive or corrosive.

A chemical is a health hazard if there is statistically significant evidence, based
on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles
that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. Classes of health
hazards include:

Agents that Damage the Lungs, Skin, Eyes or Mucous Membranes

Carcinogens

Corrosives

Hematotoxins

Hepatotoxins

Irritants

Nephrotoxins

Neurotoxins

Reproductive Toxins

Sensitizers

A chemical is considered a carcinogen or potential carcinogen if it is listed in any
of the following publications (OSHA uses the term "select" carcinogen):

Over 600,000 chemicals are considered hazardous by the OSHA definition.

In most cases, the chemical container's original label will indicate if the chemical
is hazardous. Look for key words like caution, hazardous, toxic, dangerous, corrosive,
irritant, carcinogen, etc. Containers of hazardous chemicals acquired or manufactured
before 1985 may not contain appropriate hazard warnings.

If you are not sure a chemical you are using is hazardous, review it’s appropriate
Safety Data Sheet for pertinent health and safety information.

1.4 Hazard Identification

Some laboratories may synthesize or develop new chemical substances on occasion, for
instance, as part of a student's laboratory project. If the composition of the substance
is known and will be used exclusively in the laboratory, the laboratory worker must
label the substance and determine, to the best of his/her abilities, the hazardous
properties (e.g. corrosive, flammable, reactive, toxic, etc.) of the substance. This
can often be done by comparing the structure of the new substance with the structure
of similar materials with known hazardous properties. If the chemical produced is
of unknown composition, it must be assumed to be hazardous and appropriate precautions
taken.

1.5 Training & Information

1.5.1 Chemical Safety Training

All employees or students, exposed, or potentially exposed, to hazardous chemicals
while performing their laboratory duties must receive information and training regarding
the standards, the Chemical Hygiene Plan and laboratory safety. Our training consists
of several one-hour seminars presented by the Chemical Safety Coordinator covering
the four parts of the Community College of Rhode Island Chemical Hygiene Plan. The
seminars will include oral presentations, slides, audio-visual presentations, and
question and answer periods. The training program is broken down as follows:

Part 1: Overview of the Chemical Hygiene Plan of the Community College of Rhode Island and
the Rhode Island Hazardous Substance Right-To-Know Act.

Part 2: Standard Operating Procedures for Working with Chemicals.

Part 3: Specific Health and Safety Information for Working with Chemicals.

Part 4: Chemical Toxicology.

The training and information will be provided when an employee is initially assigned
to a laboratory where hazardous chemicals are present, and also prior to assignments
involving new hazardous chemicals and/or new laboratory work procedures.

The training and information program will describe the:

Physical and health hazards of various classes of laboratory chemicals handled;

Methods/procedures for safely handling and detecting the presence or release of hazardous
chemicals present in the laboratory;

Appropriate response in the event of a chemical emergency (spill, overexposure, etc);

Chemical safety policies; and

Applicable details of the Chemical Hygiene Plan (such as the standard operating procedures
for using chemicals).

When an employee is to perform a non-routine task presenting hazards for which he
or she has not already been trained, the employee's supervisor will be responsible
for discussing with the employee the hazards of the task and any special measures
(e.g. personal protective equipment or engineering controls) that should be used to
protect the employee.

Every laboratory worker should know the location and proper use of available protective
clothing and equipment, and emergency equipment/procedures. Information on protective
clothing and equipment is contained in Section 2.3 of this manual.

1.5.2 Chemical Safety Information Sources

There are numerous sources of chemical safety information. These sources include:

Special health and safety reference literature available in the library at each campus;

The labels found on containers of hazardous chemicals;

The substance's Material Safety Data Sheet; and

Laboratory signs. Each of these sources is now discussed in greater detail.

1.5.2.1. Safety Reference Literature

The Library at each campus maintains reference materials addressing chemical health
and safety issues under the designation Chemical Hygiene Plan Reference Literature.
The references include chemical workplace exposure standards, OSHA'S Laboratory Safety
Standard, Rhode Island Chapter 28-21, the Hazardous Substance Right-To-Know Act and
other laboratory safety references. Material safety data sheets received from suppliers
are available in the security offices at the Knight, Flanagan, Providence and Newport
Campuses, and also in the SDS Stations mounted on the walls outside of rooms where
the chemicals are being used.

1.5.2.2 Container Labeling

All containers of chemicals, which could pose a physical or health hazard to an exposed
employee or student, must have a label attached. Labels on purchased hazardous chemicals
must include:

The common name of the chemical;

The name, address and emergency phone number of the company responsible for the product;
and

An appropriate hazard warning. The warning may be a single word-"danger", "warning"
and "caution" - or may identify the primary hazard, both physical (i.e., water reactive,
flammable, or explosive) and health ( i.e., carcinogen, corrosive, or irritant).

Most labels will provide you with additional safety information to help you protect
yourself while working with this substance. This includes protective measures to be
used when handling the material, clothing that should be worn, first aid instructions,
storage information and procedures to follow in the event of a fire, leak or spill.

If you find a container with no label, report it to your laboratory paraprofessional.
You should also report labels that are torn or illegible so that the label can be
replaced immediately. Existing labels on new containers of hazardous chemicals should
never be removed or defaced, except when empty! If you use secondary working containers
that will take more than one work shift or laboratory period to empty, or if there
is a chance that someone else will handle the container before you finish it, you
must label it. This is part of your responsibility to help protect co-workers and
students.

Read the label each time you use a newly purchased chemical. It is possible the manufacturer
may have added new hazard information or reformulated the product since your last
purchase, and thus altered the potential hazards you face while working with the product.

All employees involved in unpacking chemicals are responsible for inspecting each
incoming container to insure that it is labeled with the information outlined above.
The Chemical Safety Coordinator or Laboratory Paraprofessional must be notified if
containers do not have proper labels.

1.5.2.3 Safety Data Sheets

A Safety Data Sheet, often referred to by its acronym SDS, is a detailed informational
document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a hazardous chemical which describes
the physical and chemical properties of the product. Information included in a Safety
Data Sheet aids in the selection of safe products, helps employers, employees and
students understand the potential health and physical hazards of a chemical and describes
how to respond effectively to exposure situations.

Since the OSHA globally harmonized standard, SDS's are now required to be standardized
in a 16 part format.

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors,
or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly known as Material Safety
Data Sheets or MSDSs) to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products. As
of June 1, 2015, the HCS will require new SDSs to be in a uniform, standardized format.

Employers must ensure that SDSs are readily accessible to employees.

1.5.2.4 Laboratory Signs

Prominent signs of the following types should be posted in each laboratory:

Telephone numbers of the security offices, paraprofessionals, and the Chemical Safety
Coordinator.

Signs identifying locations for safety showers, eyewash stations, other safety and
first aid equipment, and exits;

Warnings at areas or equipment where special or unusual hazards exist.

1.6 Chemical Exposure Assessment

Regular environmental or employee exposure monitoring of airborne concentrations is
not usually warranted or practical in laboratories because chemicals are typically
used for relatively short time periods and in small quantities. However sampling may
be appropriate when a highly toxic substance is used regularly (three or more separate
handling sessions per week), used for an extended period of time (greater than 3 to
4 hours at a time) or used in especially large quantities. Notify the Chemical Safety
Coordinator if you are using a highly toxic substance in this manner.

The exposures to laboratory employees who suspect and report that they have been over
overexposed to a toxic chemical in the laboratory, or are displaying symptoms of overexposure
to toxic chemicals, will also be assessed. The assessment will initially be qualitative
and, based upon the professional judgment of the Chemical Safety Coordinator, may
be followed up by specific quantitative monitoring. A memo, or report, documenting
the assessment will be sent to the employees involved and their supervisors or Department
Chairs within fifteen days of receipt of the results. A copy will be stored in a central
exposure records file maintained by the Department of Security and Safety and College
Police. Individual concerns about excessive exposures occurring in the laboratory
should be brought to the attention of your supervisor, Department Chair, or the Chemical
Safety Coordinator immediately.

1.7 Medical Consultation and Examination

The College will provide employees who work with hazardous chemicals an opportunity
to receive medical attention, including any follow-up examinations which the examining
physician determines to be necessary, whenever an employee:

Develops signs or symptoms associated with excessive exposure to a hazardous chemical
used in their laboratory;

Is exposed routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level,
the applicable OSHA work place exposure limit) for an OSHA regulated substance;

May have been exposed to a hazardous chemical during a chemical incident such as a
spill, leak, explosion or fire; and

Is referred for medical follow-up by Chemical Safety Coordinator.

Individuals with life threatening emergencies should call the Campus Security Office
to have an ambulance summoned. Security can be reached at 825-2109 (Knight Campus),
333-7035 (Flanagan Campus),455-6050 (Providence Campus) or 851-1620 (Newport Campus).
All accidents resulting in injuries which require medical treatment (including first
aid) should be reported immediately to Security. The injured employee may seek treatment
at a emergency room, at the Pawtucket or Warwick location of OH + R or at his/her
own physician.

Where medical consultations or examinations are provided the examining physician shall
be provided with the following information:

the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) to which the employee may have been exposed;

the exposure conditions; and

the signs and symptoms of exposure the laboratory employee is experiencing, if any.

1.8 Chemical Fume Hood Evaluation

Every laboratory ventilation hood used for the control of air contaminants shall be
tested twice yearly to assure that adequate airflow is being maintained to provide
continued protection against employee over-exposure. The Maintenance Departments,
under the direction of the College Engineer, is responsible for performing this testing.
Laboratory hood airflow shall be considered adequate when the average face velocity
equals 100 feet/minute (±20%) with the hood sash at a working height (15 to 20 inches).Other
local exhaust ventilation, such as instrument vents, will also be tested.

1.9 Respiratory Protection Program

The College attempts to minimize employee and student respiratory exposure to potentially
hazardous chemical substances through engineering methods (such as local exhaust ventilation)
or administrative control. It is recognized, however, that for certain situations
or operations, the use of these controls may not be feasible or practical. Under these
circumstances or while such controls are being instituted, or in emergency situations,
the use of personal respiratory protective equipment may be necessary. A sound and
effective program is essential to assure that the personnel using such equipment are
adequately protected.

The College has adopted a written Respiratory Protection Program for using respirators. This plan outlines organizational responsibilities for the
following respirator program components: exposure assessment; respirator selection;
medical approval and surveillance; fit testing; user training; inspection/repair;
cleaning/disinfection; and storage. Each of these program components is required by
OSHA's respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) in all situations where respirators
are used. If you are using a respirator and are not included in the respirator protection
program, or have questions concerning the use of respirators or any of the program
components; contact your supervisor or the Chemical Safety Coordinator.

1.10 Recordkeeping

All exposure assessments and occupational medical consultation/examination reports
will be confidential and maintained by the Personnel Department a secure area in accordance
with OSHA's medical records rule (29 CFR 1910.20). Individuals may obtain copies or
read their reports contacting the Personnel Office.

1.11 Protocol Safety Review

Under some circumstances, a particular chemical substance and associated laboratory
operation, procedure or activity may be considered sufficiently hazardous to require
prior approval from the Chemical Safety Coordinator before work begins. This approval
process will ensure that safeguards are properly set up and that personnel and students
are adequately trained in the procedure. The chemical substances listed in Appendix
A require prior approval before beginning work.

Carefully read the label before using a chemical. The manufacturer's or supplier's
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) will provide special handling information. Be aware
of the potential hazards existing in the laboratory and the appropriate safety precautions.
Know the location and proper use of emergency equipment, the appropriate procedures
for responding to emergencies, and the proper methods for storage, transport and disposal
of chemicals within the facility.

Students and student helpers may never work alone in a laboratory. Faculty and Laboratory
Paraprofessionals should not work alone in the laboratory unless absolutely necessary.
If you must work alone or in the evening, let someone else know and have them periodically
check on you.

Use only those chemicals for which you have the appropriate exposure controls (such
as a chemical fume hood) and administrative programs/procedures (training, restricted
access, etc.). Always use adequate ventilation with chemicals. Operations using large
quantities (500 milliliters or more) of volatile substances with workplace standards
at or below 50 ppm should be performed in a chemical fume hood.

Use hazardous chemicals and all laboratory equipment only as directed or for their
intended purpose.

Inspect equipment or apparatus for damage before adding a hazardous chemical. Do not
use damaged equipment.

Inspect personal protective apparel and equipment for integrity or proper functioning
before use.

Malfunctioning laboratory equipment (hood) should be labeled or tagged "out of service"
so that others will not inadvertently use it before repairs are made.

Handle and store laboratory glassware with care. Do not use damaged glassware. Use
extra care with Dewar flasks and other evacuated glass apparatus; shield or wrap them
to contain chemicals or fragments should implosion occur.

Do not dispense more of a hazardous chemical than is needed for immediate use.